Deceptive practices abound with
wording, the accomplices for the 'organizations' with whom we do
'business'. The scandal in the make-up and grocery aisles seem to
be progressing well. Hopefully we are paying close attention 'cause
the costs are ours to bear, each and every time.
Many of today's creams, lotions, and
other 'fluid' products (ketchup, applesauce) are dispensed in plastic, rarely glass, containers, in sculptured shapes, masking the true weight of
the contents locked inside. Though we are receiving the weight of the
products, as marked, the contents are difficult to access so much of
it gets discarded unless we do the 'water' dumping test, adding it to
remove the last little bit.
We are bombarded by glamorous looking
products, in all manner of shapes and sizes. But product dispensing
from these containers is nearly impossible, a cunning maneuver to
force us to buy sooner than the volume on the label might
indicate. Looking inside, we realize the manipulative touch of fraud
lurking there. The raised, sometimes detailed bottoms or complicated
pumps of some of these dispensers are present making total product
removal next to impossible. Why was that done? The intention here is to make us buy
product more often because the viscous product inside is totally inaccessible. The total weight is as stated but we never seem to 'get it
all.' Fraudulent, misleading or what?
Social media bestows upon us our value
system, it seems, our intentions, failures and successes, too. Then
we walk our children, dogs and with each other as we talk on our
phones. Is that quality time? What is the distraction? The outdated
phone I own is years old yet does one very intriguing thing: it
allows calls to be made and received, the purpose of such a device.
Newer phones are costlier versions of call centers and tiny computer and camera wonders.
We feel compelled
to being available at all hours of the day and night to others while
depriving those closest to us: our children and pets, most often, with little to
say. Sleep and mental acuity suffer as we wait for the calls that will change it all for us. Have we've lost control?
Finding a good guy in a bar is
possible. As a cocktail waitress and teacher-in-training, it happened. Get off the phone then look him/her in the eyes. It's the
eyes, then the voice, that tell the human story. Guys come in all
shapes and sizes - just like us. (And guys, please stop holding us to
an impossible standard. If you're not a 'premiere' candidate then do not expect us to be.)
Close your eyes and listen to his heart. Appearances
are nothing to brag about. We did not create that standard, whatever
it is. Makeup, a good hair cut, a smile and a sharp presentation
changes everything. . But take heed: what's mom like?
Does she mom love you at first sight? If not, keep on walking.
Wasting your valuable time and your life is not worth it. This is not
an audition. Next?
Buy a 'greeting' card for any
reason. It is a solitary reminder of a life lived with people we
care about. Cards today come in a vast array of 'reasons'. Take note!
They are rewards like no other. They fit nicely into our lives, these
personalized reminders of joy, comfort and love, from those who care.
They are better than comfort foods without the calories!. ....
Postcards, too, are a quicker snapshot on life, with a view attached!
(A book in the making??) Postcards are an incredible imprint we can
revisit whenever we like. Though texting and email are modern day
tools of instant communication, they cannot compete. Pen and paper rule. They always have and always will for me. They are
everlasting gifts to us. I still have those first 'love letters' of a
different generation - 49 years old - fresh and real. Writing those
we love, care about and think highly of, is a gift like no other. We
all want and need to be valued and wanted.
Then there's fake news. It's everywhere
not just in those places we think. Its pervasive grab hopes we will
allow ourselves to be duped into thinking a certain costly way. But the
truth wins always even if it takes time . No problem. I can wait!
